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25-and-under caging set to start
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Posted on Jun 30 2004
The BANMI 25-and-under Basketball League is slated to begin in the second or third week of this month.
League coordinator Abner Venus said seven to eight teams have already expressed interest in signing up for the 2004 season.
“It’s been more than a year since the championship game of the 25-and-under league was played. Players under that age group are itching to get back into action with their mother teams. We want to make this year’s 25-and-under season the most exciting and competitive ever,” he said.
Players eligible to see action in the league are those whose 26th birthday does not predate the opening of the season, according to Venus. Team rosters should be submitted as soon as possible and should include the participants’ proof of age.
“We have to be strict on the age requirement to avoid controversy. Participants must submit either their driver’s license or passport for identification.”
The 25-and-under league was initiated years back after BANMI saw that the younger 22-and-under league does not attract that much interest.
BANMI officials note that for such a small place as Saipan, raising the age limit by three years would be the ideal since the 22-and-under format would lure basically players from the 18-and-under Rotary league.
For more information on the upcoming 22-and-under Basketball League, please call Venus at 287-5911.
Last year, Verizon Proa hoisted the championship of the 25-and-under tournament after it waylaid Ghasias Brothers, 106-91, in the title tiff.
Verizon also won that season’s pennant championship and was coached by then CNMI national basketball team coach Rufino Aguon. Its players included Jester Garcia, Dave Palacios, Boaz Etpison, Ambrose Ogumoro, Jeremy Sablan, Ponce Rasa, J.C. Kim, Oscar Ada, and Mel Manibusan.
